Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The Retinohypothalamic tract: Comparison of axonal projection patterns from four major targets

Full text
Author(s):
Canteras, Newton S. [1] ; Ribeiro-Barbosa, Erika Renata [1] ; Goto, Marina [1] ; Cipolla-Neto, Jose [2] ; Swanson, Larry W. [3]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anat, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ So Calif, Dept Biol Sci, Los Angeles, CA 90089 - USA
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Review article
Source: BRAIN RESEARCH REVIEWS; v. 65, n. 2, p. 150-183, JAN 1 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 32
Abstract

The retinohypothalamic tract is one component of the optic nerve that transmits information about environmental luminance levels through medial and lateral branches to four major terminal fields in the hypothalamus. The spatial distribution and organization of axonal projections from each of these four terminal fields were analyzed and compared systematically with the anterograde pathway tracer PHAL in rats where the terminal fields had been labeled with intravitreal injections of a different anterograde pathway tracer, CTb. First, the well-known projections of two medial retinohypothalamic tract targets (the ventrolateral suprachiasmatic nucleus and perisuprachiasmatic region) were confirmed and extended. They share qualitatively similar projections to a well-known set of brain regions thought to control circadian rhythms. Second, the projections of a third medial tract target, the ventromedial part of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, were analyzed for the first time and shown to resemble qualitatively those from the suprachiasmatic nucleus and perisuprachiasmatic region. And third, projections from the major lateral retinohypothalamic tract target were analyzed for the first time and shown to be quite different from those associated with medial tract targets. This target is a distinct core part of the ventral zone of the anterior group of the lateral hypothalamic area that lies just dorsal to the caudal two-thirds of the supraoptic nucleus. Its axonal projections are to neural networks that control a range of specific goal-oriented behaviors (especially drinking, reproductive, and defensive) along with adaptively appropriate and complementary visceral responses and adjustments to behavioral state. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/52920-0 - Melatonin and the control of energy metabolism: central and peripheral actions and the circadian timing of the metabolic function
Grantee:José Cipolla Neto
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants